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Clutch switch ( starter enable) bypass?

4.9K views 19 replies 3 participants last post by  karlh  
#1 ·
We all know, no oil pressure is a bad thing for bearings. Why does the new VB require max clutch pedal pressure before you can push the engine start button?
The poor thrust bearings on the crank must be thinking... wtf Subaru?
So I stuck my head under the dash to eyeball this arrangement. There is clutch switch at top of the pedal and another at the bottom of the pedal's travel. I know the lower switch is crank enable, what does the top switch do? It does not disable cruise control.
It would be nice to disable or bypass this "clutch in" requirement on startup. A simple neutral check would suffice for all, but Subaru's legal department.
Anyone else consider this or have a solution to prevent premature thrust bearing wear?
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Cruise control disengages because it compares engine rpm to wheel speed and realizes something is off. Also if you powershift without clutch, you won't have a gearbox eventually.
I had to look up the term "powershift" and of course someone has an analysis on youtube.


Off topic, but interesting and now i have learned something new.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Image


2024 WRX TR Neutral safety switch!
So double redundancy. Wonder if the clutch switches are regular No/Nc 12v digital inputs or low voltage low current inputs that will cause trouble if you mess with them.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Here is one of silver_scooby's pictures with the locations of the neutral and reverse switches shown (based on Subaru's parts diagram).

View attachment 337968

From the wiring diagrams, the clutch cruise control switch provides 12V to the ECU when closed, while the neutral switch provides a ground. The clutch start switch provides 12V to the starter relay when closed.
So i could pull the start enable switches connector and jumper the contacts to close the circuit. This will put it in a start enable state always (without having to depress the pedal all the way to the floor).

Is the neutral switch part of the starter circuit or strategy?

Also does the engine ECU disable the starter when the engine is running?